Venice - You don't have to break your bank!

Venice, like Gius says is a Living Museum. It can be however, formidably expensive. Well, if you are not too worried about your skyrocketing credit card bills, you could really enjoy the city like a Venetian noble. But if you are anywhere as broke as us, you may want to read a few tips on how we saved some precious pennies while enjoying this beautiful city.

First of all, hotel prices around Venice is expensive. Follow the Shoestring rule and find a place in Mestre. For a short bus/water taxi ride, you will save tons on your hotel stay. Moreover, you will be in midst of authentic Venetian life as Venetians have moved out of Venice for the aforementioned reason - skyrocketing prices. You will also find excellent food, shopping and nightlife in this area. Someone suggested Padova, but I would skip it if you are short on time.

BUY a 12 hour vaporetto ticket, which will cost you 13 Euros. This will allow you to ride the water taxi to your hearts content (To max out on the romance take the vaporetto at night, while cuddling up with your honey bunny). This ticket will also allow you to visit six churches, 50 palaces, four bridges and the open air markets of the Grand Canal.

Ditch the tired pizzas and try out Chicheti treats (delicious skewered treats) - Best places to try these treats are Pronto Pesce Pronto, Osteria I Rusteghi or at Alla Vedova.

Sip a glass of wine (2 Euros) at Un Mondo Di Vino, Improntacafe, Aurora Caffe, while watching the world go by. Happy hours at these place comes with free (did someone say FREE?) nibbles between 11am - 3pm and 6.30-8.30pm

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